Nine Inch Nails Live in Manila!

Local music fans have been buzzing with anticipation over Nine Inch NailsÆ August 5 gig at the Araneta Coliseum. As soon as local promoter Splintr opened tickets sales last May, fans have been lining up to snag the much-coveted front row tickets. A box-office employee was reportedly puzzled over the amount of tickets being bought not weeks, but months in advance. Those in the know predict that interest in the tour, which may be NINÆs last, will only increase as the show looms closer.

Capping-off a wildly successful career, NIN mastermind Trent Reznor is taking a victory lap with the Wave Goodbye tour. ôIn NIN world, 2009 marks the 20th anniversary of our first releases," Reznor wrote in his blog. "I've been thinking for some time now it's time to make NIN disappear for a while. After some thought, we decided to book a last run of shows across the globe this year." The announcement left many Pinoy fans searching for that elusive chance to see NIN. Splintr, the countryÆs first independent online music channel, took on the daunting task of bringing NIN to our shores, generating some big noise in the process.

And what a fabulous ruckus it will be. Assembling a rotating-cast of touring musicians, Reznor is known to orchestrate some of the most memorable live experiences, from the calculated mayhem of the Self-Destruct tour to the sensory overload of the Lights in the Sky concerts down to the raw power of Wave Goodbye. In the studio, Reznor played most of the instruments himself, and gave the clanging dirge of industrial music a human pulse. NIN classics such as æSinÆ and æPurest FeelingÆ owe as much to the experiments of industrial bands Skinny Puppy and Coil as to the pop songwriting of Prince.

In a musical climate where disposable acts come to our shores, SplintrÆs decision to bring one of the most revered artists in rock should make for the musical event of the year. As part of its commitment to promoting local talent, Splintr is presenting another respected band to open the concert.

Our own Pupil was chosen by Reznor himself as opening act, cementing the bandÆs status as one of ManilaÆs finest acts. Among the bands presented to the NIN camp by Splintr, it was Pupil that caught the ear of Reznor. Pupil frontman and Eraserheads alumna Ely Buendia was excited to hear the news. ôNIN playing in Manila is beyond awesome, we are excited as hell to open for them,ö the band posted on their website.

The Philippine leg of Nine Inch NailsÆ Wave Goodbye tour will take place on August 5 at the Araneta Coliseum. To purchase tickets, call Ticketnet at 911.5555 or log on to www.ticketnet.com.ph.